Course Description
This course provides intensive pronunciation practice for non-native speakers of English who want to improve the clarity of their English speech. The primary focus of the course is improvement in the areas that are most important in making speech more understandable and native-like: word-stress and phrase-stress, intonation, and the rhythm of English speech. In addition, there will be individual and class work on vowel and consonant sounds throughout the semester. Strategies for practicing and improving your pronunciation outside of class will also be introduced.
Pronunciation practice will include individual, large group, and small group work during class, recorded and written homework assignments, individual tutorials arranged as desired with the teacher, and practice in the language laboratory or at home using the CD's which accompany the textbook.
Course Requirements
The final grade will be calculated as follows:
1. 20% Participation, practice, and performance. This grade will be calculated based on (1) written homework which will be announced in class and will be due on the next class day, (2) recordings which are recorded regularly and are due
approximately every two weeks (see attached schedule), (3) promptness and attendance, and (4) bring your book to class each day - this is absolutely required.
2. 20% Individual Presentations. There will be two presentations: one will be given at midterm; the second will be given during the second half of the semester..
3. 40% Midterm and Final Oral Exams.
4. 20% Quizzes. Approximately 5-6 quizzes will be given during the semester. The dates of these quizzes may or may not be announced. They will be given at the beginning of the class period.
Grading
A Careful and meticulous work with very few errors. Good improvement demonstrated.
B Careful and thoughtful work with a few errors. Moderate improvement demonstrated.
C Average work. Homework completed as assigned. Some improvement evident.
D Lack of understanding. Little improvement. Also, incomplete or late assignments (1 day).
F Lack of understanding. No improvement. Also, incomplete or late assignments (2 days).
0 Assignment is more than 2 days late.
Materials
The following materials are required:
1. Well Said, 2nd Edition, by Linda Grant (Comes with CD recordings)
2. FLE 400: Pronunciation Course Packet (available at Sir Speedy on Hillsborough Street, across from the D.H. Hill Library)
NOTE: It is illegal to photocopy copyrighted materials. You will not be allowed to use photocopies of the book in our class. If you buy a textbook without the CD's, you will have to go to the language laboratory to listen to them.
Academic Integrity
All work done for this class must be completed by each student individually. Cheating will be dealt with according to University Policy. Practicing your spoken English together with other learners of English and receiving pronunciation correction or help from native English speakers as you prepare your tapes, is not cheating. It is encouraged as a useful way to improve your English.
Attendance
Your preparation for class (by doing the assignments) and your participation in each class are crucial both for your own improvement and for a good learning environment in the class. Therefore attendance is mandatory. Your final grade will drop 3 points with each absence after the third absence. (The three allowed absences include excused absences.)
Auditors
AUDIT in this class means that you are responsible to participate in class fully. You will receive a grade of AU for the equivalent of A, B, or C work, or NR for the equivalent of D or F work. If you do not attend class regularly, do all of the assigned work, and maintain a passing grade, you will be asked to stop coming to class.
Language Laboratory
The language lab is located in the Laundry Building. The hours of the lab are Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 12:00-7:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00-7:00 p.m.
Responsibility for Learning
Any improvement you make in this course will be a direct result of your own efforts, not the efforts of the teacher. You will be provided with descriptions of English pronunciation, opportunities for purposeful practice, and suggestions of ways to improve beyond the classroom. No teacher can be responsible for your improvement of your spoken English. Only you can take this responsibility.
In order to improve your spoken English, do the following:
1. Talk out loud. Participate actively in each lesson. There is only one way to improve your pronunciation: During all drills and practice times during class when students are asked to talk and practice, practice aloud also.
2. Practice privately. Memorize short quotes or dialogues, difficult words or a poem. Practice saying them over and over
whenever you have an opportunity: while waiting for the bus, in the shower, while preparing dinner, while walking or driving.
3. Listen. Whenever you listen to native speakers of English (on TV, in stores, at work, with friends, on the radio), listen for the features of English that we're learning in class.
4. Take risks. Speak out. Engage native speakers in conversations. Don't be afraid to make mistakes. If you make a mistake, correct it if necessary for communication. Otherwise, take note of it, write it down later and work on it privately. Try to say the same thing again correctly in a conversation in the near future.